About Tara Jones Two personal experiences led Tara Jones to a career in medicine. After her mother was hospitalized and Tara herself had surgery, she saw what a difference the nurses made in their care and recovery. Then, after her first year of nursing school at the University of Iowa, she had the opportunity to volunteer on a maternity unit for a few weeks in Ghana, where she also did an obstetrics rotation the following semester. “I caught my first baby in Ghana and loved both of these experiences, so I chose to work on Labor and Birth for my senior internship,” she says. After graduation, Tara went to Frontier Nursing University in Hyden, Ky., and learned how to be a midwife, caring for women throughout their lives. During her training in midwifery school, Tara had two preceptors whom she described as “amazing midwives.” She says, “They taught me the importance of being with my patients and listening to them.” This experience led to Tara personalizing care for each person who come to her for care. “I strive to educate and empower my patients to make their own healthcare choices,” she says. Tara has traveled the world, using her skills as a nurse and midwife. Stateside she worked in Missouri, Washington, Iowa and Indiana; internationally she has cared for patients in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Senegal, Ghana and Ethiopia. “I love catching babies, but I also enjoy caring for women outside of pregnancy and birth,” Tara says. “I get to develop relationships with my patients over time and get to know them and their families as I provide their care.” While she has learned that no two patients are alike and what works for one may not work for another, she hopes they develop trust in her. “I hope that they’ve learned the importance of advocating for their own care and that I am here to listen to them.” In her own words… Who is or was the most influential people/role models in your life?  My grandmother became my legal guardian when I was 16.  She has been the most influential person in my life since that point, constantly supporting me and encouraging me to keep pursuing my goals and dreams. What was your first job growing up? What do you remember about it?  I worked as a games operator at a theme park for five years in high school and early college.  The theme park employed a lot of “workampers” (retirees who travel in RVs and work at theme parks or national parks). I loved making new friends from all over the U.S. What is your favorite food? Movie?  Food – Indian; Movie – Harry Potter series What was your best/worst subjects in school growing up?  Best – math, biology; Worst – English, composition Do you have pets?  I recently rescued two Great Danes – they are brothers – Teddy (170 pounds) and Groot (190 pounds). They love to sleep and bark at the neighbors. In addition to medicine, what are you passionate about?  I enjoy reading and learning new things, spending time with friends and playing board games.  I try to spend time outside every day when the weather is nice and love spoiling my pups. What are your hobbies, interests?  I love spending time with my dogs and putting together puzzles. I also enjoy cross-stitch and learning other new craft projects and have learned how to make macramé coasters. What is something most people don’t know about you?  I traveled to Senegal, Ghana and Ethiopia while in college. My time in Ghana was for a medical internship and is where I caught my first baby. After graduating midwifery school, I lived in DR Congo for a year teaching midwifery students.